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Friday, August 24, 2012

Tough Guys — my top 5

The Denver area has been in a Stage 1 Drought this summer due to a low winter snow pack, low spring and summer precipitation, and higher than average temperatures. I decided it would be a good year to test the durability of my garden plantings — I wasn't interested in knocking myself out (or using potable water) to provide supplemental water to my ornamental gardens on a regular basis. My gardens are not on an automatic irrigation system so I either use a hose-end sprinkler attachment or hand-water with a "wand." I usually wait until my plants are in a prolonged wilt (no nighttime recovery) for 4-10 days before I give things a good soak. This year I've watered the gardens about 6 times, total. They look pretty sad, and we may finally lose a beauty bush (Kolkwitsia amabilis) that has never thrived.

The good news is that many of my plants have come through quite well, flowering profusely for long periods of time. It may be no surprise to you that they're the same plants that I always brag on - the tough guys that put on a spectacular show during the "good" rain years, and keep on truckin' during the drought years, too.

The penstemon above, and its red flowering "parent" looked terrific mid-summer for weeks on end . These next three — the horned poppy, Russian sage, and hummingbird trumpet — are planted in a side garden that got NO supplemental water this summer. They're going like gangbusters.

horned poppy, Glaucium flavum

Zauschneria arizonica with Perovskia artiplicifolia in the background

lower growing, groundcover form: Zauschneria garrettii

the colorful, fuzzy bracts of Russian sage

This coneflower, too, has bloomed endlessly!

prairie coneflower, Ratibida columnifera

We're coming in to prime planting season now, so if you're looking to supplement your gardens with some xeric perennials, I hope you'll consider trying one of these.

The Glaucium is a biennial the seeds around the garden (I know some folks don't like that in a plant), so you may have to find a friend with a seedling or start some yourself from seed. Give it a try and report back!